By Teng Lauban Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief .
Former Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation combatants can become members of the Philippine National Police as long as they meet the requirements set by the National Police Commission.
This was agreed upon during a meeting recently between the Department of Interior Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Bangsamoro Transition Authority Interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, and Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.
Under the agreement, the government will be waiving the age and height requirements of the MILF and MNLF applicants.
“We welcome the admission of MILF and MNLF members to the police force, provided that they meet the general requirements in the national level, and of course we will waive some requirements to accommodate our Moro brothers,” Año said.
Major Gen. Jonas Calleja, PNP Director for Plans, said his agency is in the process of drafting the memorandum circular to operationalize the said arrangement.
“We’re preparing the draft memo circular and it’s stated there that only age and height may be waived, provided the educational attainment requirement shall be applied within 15 years,” he said.
Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the age, height, and educational requirements of the ex-fighters may be waived by the Napolcom.
The law also states that those who want to be part of the police force shall apply within five years from the ratification of the BOL, and that they should meet all the educational requirements within 15 years after joining the PNP.
On the appointment of the Police Regional Director for the Barmm, Año said his office “shall be getting the recommendation of the Chief Minister, as long as these police officers are qualified,” he said.
“Rest assured that I will respect your preference, including the fire and jail directors for the Barmm,” he added.
Ebrahim expressed his elation over the pronouncement, saying that the former combatants will be given the chance to serve their communities and country.
The meeting also gave Año, Ebrahim and Galvez a chance to discuss ways to facilitate the smooth transition of the new Bangsamoro government, specifically the peace and security aspect of governance.
Año said the DILG “shall organize the PRO Barmm organization in pursuant to Napolcom Resolution No. 2019-009.”
“With that, we’ll also provide a regional police force battalion that can be used for special purposes. And for the provincial and police units, we also welcome the preference of the local government units under the Barmm,” he said. (with reports from opapp)
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